Conner

So my grandpa used to be really into bikes and now he is 96 and is getting rid of a lot of his old, unfinished projects. He gave me this Dawes frame, a brake mechanism, 2 wheels (front & back(They Don't fit)), brake levers, brake cables, and some pedals along with a other gear set just incase I need it (he has inexpensive bike parts that are nearly unopened because he used to work at a LBS in the 60s). My question is how much would it cost to restore this. I have no clue really what I'm doing, should I go to my LBS and ask questions and get this bike measured, buy new modern parts, or should I look for original parts? I want to use this as a daily commute if it is possible. I have no clue. Please help. Thanks in advance.



EDIT: If I were to restore this I would be working from the frame up, I'm 15, and only have 180 dollars to spend on parts. I may be able to get more money during the summer if I can work for my dad. Also I am planning on a SS.

Leukybear 

Lovin' the instagram. Yes it is. The frame you have is infinitely better than the Chinese made Dawes they sell at bikesdirect.

Conner

Yea that's what I was thinking, it's a much better feel than any bike frame I've had. Thanks for replying, posted this in vintage section, and still no replies... So what do you think about buying parts? Get modern drop bars, nice saddle, etc? Sorry I am really new to building bikes... I was going to buy the Dawes SST but then my grandpa told me had would just give me this one.

Leukybear 

Haha all the classic/ vintage guys are older guys who head to bed early, just wait til tomorrow night or even an extra day and they should reply full force. I'm pretty sure they'll also appreciate the background story behind the bike.
As for the parts you could get modern parts as long as they're meant for the specs of the frameset but you can always go for parts of that are from that period, which can be very cheap, for a more vintage/ classic look if you're aiming to go that way.

!!!!I just noticed your seatpost is missing the binder at the top and could potentially fall down into the seat tube without the possibility of retrieving it; be very careful (hold onto the seatpost) while you're loosening the seatpost binder bolt while removing it!!!

As for you question of how much to restore it; it shouldn't take much to get it up and running considering your grandpa probably has a cache of tools, knowledge, and spare parts. As for restoration to new, that's a another story.


For starters, wheels and brakes, your frame most likely from its age, takes a 27" sized wheel and has a rear spacing of 125mm. A modern track/ SS wheelset meant for 120mm spacing, your frame should be able to accommodate this difference without any need to cold set/ change its spacing. As far as the brakes go for a modern 700C sized wheelset and a frame that originally accepts a 27" wheel you'll need long reach brakes to make up the difference.

IvyCap

General Lee?

Leukybear 

Oh yeah, here's a good starting point/ guide to SS/FG.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ed-Start-Here!

ianjk

Restoring it (like down to paint and decals) will cost a lot. Think 10x your budget. Getting it on the road and riding could be very cheap if you can find parts cheap/used.

Conner

WOW!! I didn't even notice that... There's a confederate flag painted on the frame, it didn't really cross my mind until you posted this picture!!! I'll have to take a picture of it for you.. xD

Thanks for the help, I'll look at this, somebody replied on the vintage forums! Also the seat post is stuck in there I couldn't even get it out so I don't think I will have problem with it falling in, although I may have a problem getting it out if I need it out.

Yea, I kinda just want to get it up and running and buy some parts that would work with it to bring it back to the road.

Nagrom_

I have a '38 Paramount that my grandpa gave me to. Still have yet to do anything with it. Waiting 'til I can financially build her right.

Good luck. Don't do anything before thinking, because you know you're going to keep that bike for the rest of your life.

thenomad

IT'll take some labor but you should be able to do any number of things with that frame. Its worth keeping (and not selling for cheap to someone later). It's got great looking lugs, and hey, its the General Lee, you can't go wrong with that!
Wash it, wax it, and keep that original patina. Please dont spray it neon green or something.

You could probably spend some time with grandpa building it up, he should be able to tell you what to do and you can do it carefully. It'd be good for both of you.

Can be built either SS/FG cheaply or geared cheaply. Depends on what you want out of it.
Better closeup pics please.

bicyclridr4life

why SS/Fixie?

Nagrom_

its a track frame.

Philasteve

Sick bike man, I would restore that for sure. I would keep saving up money along with the $180 and make that a beautiful bike.

thenomad

I doubt it

Looks more like long dropouts: also brake drilled fork, double crank and geared freewheel

Nagrom_

track ends, no cable mounts.

SlimRider

You must absolutely sand any rust off of that bike. Then you're gonna have to either powdercoat it, or you'll have to apply some primer and then paint it yourself.

Then you can start with the components. Unless you're handy, I would suggest that you join a local bicycle co-op, in order to assure greater success.

Nagrom_

I wouldn't try and repaint it. That paint has a LOT of character. Get off all the rust you can, hit the inside with some frame saver, and clear coat, or powder coat the outside clear,

thenomad

mo cable mounts because its a 60s and needs the cable clamps.
C&V figured out its a Dawes Galaxy.

If you plan on getting wheels you can certainly go 700c size, makes it easier to get tires and you can use them later.

Conner

Here's some more pictures and some things I did today.



There was no rust at all. I took off about 4 layers of paint on the top tube and bottom tube, which I'll repaint the same color to keep the patina color. And I also may remake the General Lee. Anyways today I took off everything... The crank set is gone... I had to hammer out the crank set + cut it out with a metal cutter because it didn't come out. So I will have to find a new crank set somewhere, or my crank set that my grandpa gave me will work. I took out the seat post for safe measures and took off the fork, the bearings fell out which I'm not sure if it was a bad thing but my dad just told me that we could get a new set at the LBS. So that's pretty much it. My dad might've screwed me with the paint job by telling me to sand it but oh well I can't really go back although I will try to recreate the patina look as best as I can. I'm just really worried about the crank set because it is in pieces in the trash atm...

Yea, this made me start thinking which is why I am planning on going with the original paint if I can find it and try to recreate it and just left the front fork area painted and not sand or do anything to the rest.

Also the yellow is part of the old paint job so don't worry about that too much.

Nagrom_

Those old cottered cranks are the devil.

Don't worry about, that's pretty the only way to get them out unless you have a tool that they don't really make anymore, and I assume is just a myth in the first place.

Conner

OMFG, thanks for reassuring me... I was worried so will a modern crank set work with it?

Nagrom_

With a new bottom bracket, yes. Sizing might be strange, but you are far from dead in the water.

I would recommend getting it professionally powder coated since you had at the paint. Powdercoat it the similar orange. Then stencil the details on there, then have it powder coated clear. It will last forever.

Conner

I've heard powder coating costs about 100 or so dollars, could I do it myself, or leave it to the professionals?

Nagrom_

Its a method of electro plating the frame, but instead of the usual metals associated with plating, its done with a polymer. Then after its quoted its baked at several hundred degrees for a while. And you're left with a rock hard, durable as hell "paint" job.

I'm going to assume you wouldn't be able to do it yourself.

Nagrom_

People usually charge 50-65 dollars to powder coat a frame, and 15-25 dollars to do the fork, including the clear coat. Just ask them if you can do some detail work in between the color and clear coat.

Make sure to have them tape off the chrome on the fork and stays.

It's really ​worth the money.